BLURB: One should never judge a duke by his cover. As far as London society knows, Giles Drew, the Duke of Basingstoke, is everything a proper aristocrat ought to be. But when a notorious scandal sheet publishes details of Giles’s questionable bedroom antics, only one bride can salvage his reputation.

Prim and penniless, Francesca Stanhope has resigned herself to a season full of the ton’s snickering—until the Duke of Basingstoke’s dizzying courtship transforms her fate. Yet wedded bliss quickly turns into a clash of wills as Franny realizes her handsome duke is a devil in disguise.

But beneath the newlywed’s skirmishes lies scorching heat. And while each attempts to tame the other, the truth is that this unconventional union may be all either could ever desire.

REVIEW: I found this book rather odd. It is written well enough to be enjoyable, I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters.

There is history between Francesca's and Giles' families, although the reader is never informed fully about what actually happened, it has led to their families hating each other.

Francesca is a likeable enough character, but Giles is plain vulgar. His days seem to be taken up with sitting around gossiping about wallflowers. When Francesca arrives back in town to beg her uncle for financial help, she finds herself mixed up with Giles, her cousin, and lots of judgemental people.

Why she would even be in the same room as someone who destroyed her family is beyond me. Despite the serious lack of chemistry between Francesca and Giles, they eventually end up together.

This book never grabbed my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this in return for my honest review.

Read 20% and just didn’t care! The tap out point for me was when the hero compared the heroine to her cousin in his mind by thinking of the cousin as a plucked chicken since she’s less curvy. Metaphor is disgusting on so many levels.

Francesca and her mother are ruined in the eyes of society. Left basically penniless by her uncaring uncle, they live in the country away from the eyes of the ton. However, Francesca comes to London to have one season due to the generosity of Lady Crump. Giles, the Duke of Basingstoke, has his eyes on Francesca's cousin because he needs to make a match that will help heal the controversy surrounding his family caused by his deceased father. Francesca and Giles have a chance meeting in the garden of her uncle's house and their paths seem destined to cross from there, despite how much Francesca wishes they wouldn't.

I thought this was a really sweet story. For Francesca, it was more of a hate-to-love story, but Giles was smitten with her from the start, even though it took him a while to figure that out. I really liked the characters in the story. Lady Crump was so sweet and protective, Giles' friends were supportive, and his sisters were so funny and supportive as well.

My main complaint is the dialogue during the spicy scenes. We love a hero who seeks consent, but I couldn't help but laugh at the constant use of her name and "sweetheart." One or the other is used almost every time he talks to her during sex. It was just a little cringy for me.

I would still recommend this story to my fellow historical romance fans and I'm so glad I read this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. All thoughts provided are mine alone.

I haven’t read books by this author and was happily surprised. It had me laughing out loud at the witty lead female and even shedding a few tears in some parts. A great escape book for the summer!

The story is about Francesca, who is in her first season in London, but secretly trying to secure funds from her uncle for her and her mother who are barely surviving in a small cottage. She and her mother had been cast out after a scandal years ago. She accidentally stumbles upon Giles (the Duke) who is absolutely smitten with her and accidentally thinks she’s her wealthy cousin. All of London learns who she is after Giles makes a faux paux at a ball, leaving her in a corner with her Uncle & Giles humiliated. I won’t ruin the rest!

#indigoemployee

I love the books of Anna Bradley and “Give the Devil His Duke” the first in a new Drop Dead Dukes series is no exception.

This book has everything Anna Bradley does exceptionally well – emotional depth; strong character development; complex, realistic relationships. It felt like a bit of a departure from this author that there were some stronger comedic elements, especially between the three dukes I presume will be the focus of this series.

The romantic couple, Frannie and Giles, do not undergo massive personality changes but grown in their awareness of themselves and each other. I really enjoy how this book doesn’t end in a wedding, but takes an entire relationship arc from initial meeting through marriage with a significant portion of the story taking place afterward.

I am really looking forward to the rest of this series. 4.5/5

4.25/5. Finally, I'm thrilled to announce that Anna Bradley is back to her full potential after some average offerings in more recent years. I had all but given up on her but I'm glad I didn't, because with this book, she is reminding me why I was enthralled by her writing right from her debut novel, [book:A Wicked Way to Win an Earl|23755421].

The book started out in less than stellar fashion, with the Duke of Basingstoke busying himself with not just one, nor two, but three bed partners. Just ignore this incongruous scene fellow readers, for this is not at all representative of the person he is and wants to be. Since taking over the title, Giles has tried hard to wash off the stain left by his father's decades of ill conduct. He has been the epitome of propriety, each of his actions have been for the sole purpose of brining respectability back to his family name. Even his choice of bride serve this singular purpose of undoing the wrongful deeds committed by his dastardly father.

No one has been wronged by the previous Duke of Basingstoke more than Lady Francesca Stanhope. She is determined to make the most of her one London season, not to score herself an eligible match but to appeal to her uncle to save her and her mother from penury and starvation. However, no amount of desperation could make her overlook the utter devastation Giles's father had wrought on her family and now Giles with a few careless words seem to add to the hostility burning between their two families.

<i>"She looks like a radish unearthed from some tragic patch of country mud"</i>

Of course, Giles is nothing like his father and he soon learnt the value of radishes and bucolic upbringing. But the path to true love does not come easy, especially when he is almost betrothed to Francesca's cousin and the history between their families is so complex that it seems insurmountable to overcome.

Francesca is a wonderful heroine, strong and resourceful and not giving an inch to Giles. Giles to his credit has truly done his best lift resurrect his family's good name and he did not hesitate to do what is right by Francesca when the moment called for it.

<i>"Good Lord, it wasn't going to be enough to be the witty, charming Duke of Basingstoke, was it? Not for her. he was actually going to have to be himself, and that was going to be difficult, given that he hardly knew Giles drew anymore. He'd spent a great deal more time being the duke."

"He said nothing, just raised his teacup to his lips, those blue eyes watching her over the rim of the cup, and ... and smoldering! He was smoldering at her, the villain." </i?

The secondary characters were well portrayed, a special mention goes to poor Digby, Giles's manservant, who rose to every sartorial challenge without batting an eyelid, even when he was outrageously asked to de-duke the duke's appearance!

Witty with laugh out loud moments as well as sombre heartfelt scenes that were well-written. Great fiery chemistry between them. Apart from the inexplicable initial ménage à quatre sex scene that we could have done without, the book is quite tame and their first sensual contact - a chaste kiss on the hand - did not come until 2/3 of the way through. There was a bit of unnecessary drama towards the end but this is still without a doubt Bradley's best book since her early days.

<i>"Yet somehow, this man - a man she didn't know, or trust - this man, of all men, had somehow compelled her to tell the truth, without having asked a thing from her. Perhaps that was why. Words came easier, when no one demanded them of you."</i>

•I love how the gossip paper drags Giles down, every interaction he have with Franny was so spot on and so dramaticized that it paints him as a bad guy. I lived for the ✨Drama✨. Ms. Susannah played them soooo well, what a match maker
•Man obsessed + badass woman who climbs trees + truce with benefits + runaway brides + mutual pining + "I'll go where you go" = my fave genre
•I'm obsessed with Franny, she doesn't give two shits about people who don't like her. She's badass and sassy and also very compassionate.
•As for Giles, what a freaking malewife.
•Lady Maria, godbless her heart, deserves the world. Her extended family, may someone drag them to the bottom pits of hell.
•The writing is easy to read + understand. I enjoy and ate every chapter, giggling and twirling my hair. Every banter was so fun, light.
•I'm excited about the next book which is about Ms. Thorn (please give it to me now)

This is about a Duke, Giles and Francesca. Giles father ruined her family, it he finds himself attracted to her. They marry to avoid a scandal. Thai book had a great storyline that moved fast and great dialogue. The characters were very well written. A must read!

Anna Bradley is phenomenal. She enthralls me with her unique storytelling and captivates me with her versatility. I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of Give The Devil His Duke and all thoughts and opinions are my own. This is the first book in the new Drop Dead Dukes series and it is exceptional. Giles Drew, Duke of Basingstoke wants to repair his family's reputation by marrying in to the Stanhope family who was destroyed by Giles' father. Lady Francesca Stanhope, exiled from her family home for the last ten years wants nothing more from ber uncle other than a few funds to keep her and her mother to be able to live a better than destitute life that they have been living. I absolutely adored Franny and her strong brave and bold character. As Giles learns to woo, court and adore Franny, his personality changes from a libertine to someone any girl would love as her beau. Anna Bradley has such a beautiful way with her words. There were times when I felt the emotions of the forlorn characters and wept for all they had suffered and then there were times when I laughed out loud at the wittiness banter. A spectacular read and I am so looking forward to reading what happens with the other Dukes.

Do you ever get about 3/4th of the way through a book and slow down and take breaks from reading because you just don't want the story to end? That is this book! Franny and Giles story was so good. I'm hoping Anna continues with this series.

5 stars! ALL the stars in the galaxy I loved this book. It had everything I was looking for and pulled me out of my HR slump. I love a FMC who has been wronged in someway but doesn’t let it define her. She has a plat to overcome it and she’s not waiting for something else to happen, that is Franny.

I love a rake who needs to be reformed. A man who can barely say the word “feelings” without wanting to crawl out of his skin. Giles has a plan to get Bethrothed to a quiet young Miss he doesn’t plan on being attracted to her cousin who has the gall to humble him. I loved it!

Every interaction, the slowly catching of feelings, the push the pull, and yes the love confession after the fight. It was so good and now I just have to sit and wait for the next book. *pouts*

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC!

Such a delightful full circle story. The Duke does as a Duke is entitled to do, Francesca on the other hand, is stubborn and broke the mold/trappings of society. Clever, feisty, independent, compassionate, frank, adventurous and practical...what's a Duke to do... I love their banter, the challenge, interesting twist and the humorous antics all kept my glued to the pages from beginning to end. Their love story was a joy to read and exceeded my expectations. I have a new favorite go-to for a satisfying regency that very well blends the intricacies of society, the powerful draw of attraction and the pleasures of new found love. The supportive characters were also a great fit without overtaking the storyline.

Anna Bradley's newest regency romance is a deliciously engaging enemies-to-lovers story of Francesca and Giles, whose family histories set them up for heated exchanges and star crossed love. Duke Giles has finally met his match in Lady Francesca, who fights her attraction to him as she thwarts his maneuvers. Bradley builds their relationship so well and the story is addictive. five stars

Full of banter and sweet moments, this historical romance was a quick fun story with a strong wild heroine and a reformed rake.

Tropes:
Cousin's fiancée
Frenemies to lovers
Close proximity
Groveling
He falls first
Dual POV

Francesca and Giles were so perfect for each other. Everytime they were forced together they had a battle of wits, and Francesca didn't hold back simply because he was a Duke. Since their families had a scandalous history they both tried to avoid further scandal by playing nice... but they couldn't escape the gossip of the ton. A lot happens before they are forced into a quick marriage but ultimately they aren't that mad about it. Unfortunately there is a third act break up but Giles is able to finally show his true feelings and do a little groveling.

This is an open door romance with two full scenes and lots of tension. Just the perfect amount of spice and happens in the second half of the book.

Overall an enjoyable story perfect for fans of Bridgerton, enemies/frenemies to lovers, and where the reformed rake falls first.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Kensington Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.

Regency romance between Giles Drew, the Duke of Basingstoke and his fiancé cousin Francesca Stanhope. Their back-and-forth interactions are enjoyable. When scandal centers around them results in marriage - it is a battle of wills. I could not put this book down it was very interesting and fast paced. The supporting characters were enjoyable. Amidst this, family duties, expectations, and responsibilities come into play. The book revolves around learning to trust again and taking the leap to be vulnerable to someone. I would recommend this book and it did not disappoint.

**I received this book from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great comeback historical
Francesca Stanhope and her mother’s circumstances were considerably diminished by events beyond their control, but orchestrated by her father’s brother. When a friend of her mother’s arranged for Francesca to have a season, she traveled to London...and encountered a Duke...her cousin’s intended. Too bad it wasn’t the cousin’s intention, but her parents...and the duke thought she was her cousin.
Ms. Bradley gives us a great story line, fabulous characters in a variety of situations, vivid descriptions of people, places and clothes, and some steamy love scenes. I recommend for any romance lover.
I requested and received a Netgalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

A new series from Anna Bradley who always delivers well-written Regency romances with great characters and just enough heat.

There is a lot of story in Give the Devil His Duke. Scheming relatives, past and present scandals, groveling, steam, redemption, headstrong heroine, reprobate hero…

Bradley has definitely set up future books with the rogue-y Duke friends of Giles.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anna Bradley's GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUKE has great potential to be a success. The premise of the novel is an interesting one as it is quite subversive in the dynamic between the FMC and MMC.

Giles and Franny were great characters by themselves, motivated by similar yet different desires. However, their chemistry was not fully fleshed out, making the romance a bit tedious.

Also, there were inconsistencies in Giles' character between the synopsis and the novel. I'd love to see him be wicked on the page beyond one intimate scene early into the narrative.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read!

Eh, a duke who is desolate and has nothing to do. He’s the reason I DNF at 10% with his less than exemplary behavior.

I honestly loved Franny! She is such a stand-up girl. Not easily bowled over by our hero and true to herself! The hero fell in love first, still he’s no Beta-Hero. He’s an alpha without being a tyrant. I’m excited to read the stories of the other dukes mentioned. The romance was well done, very well done and believable, the secondary characters were interesting but and played their roles well. They added to the story. This is definitely a re-read on a warm summer day.